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An Taibhse
Irish language folk horror film From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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An Taibhse (English: The Ghost) is the first ever Irish language horror feature film.[1][2] Written and directed by John Farrelly, it is set in Ireland in the years after the Great Famine and follows a father and daughter who become winter caretakers at a remote Georgian mansion where a malevolent presence begins to torment them.
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Plot
In 1852, Éamon and his teenage daughter Máire accept work as caretakers at a decaying country house for the winter months. As isolation takes hold, strange phenomena escalate. Whispered voices and a lurking entity fixate on Máire, while Éamon begins to unravel under the weight of guilt and desperation.
Cast
- Tom Kerrisk as Éamon
- Livvy Hill as Máire
Production
Public reporting highlighted the film as a breakthrough for Irish language genre cinema. Jim Sheridan was reported as an executive producer, while Raven Banner and Firebook Entertainment handled worldwide sales.[3][4]
Release
The world premiere took place at the Galway Film Fleadh in July 2024.[1] The film then had its international premiere at Pigeon Shrine FrightFest in London on 23 August 2024.[5][6] It later screened at the Newport Beach Film Festival in October 2024,[7] and in 2025 was programmed by the Vancouver International Film Festival Centre for its Samhain series.[8][9]
Reception
Summarize
Perspective
An Taibhse (The Ghost) was widely described as critically acclaimed, receiving strong reviews from Irish and international critics for its atmosphere, direction, and performances.
Donald Clarke of The Irish Times praised the film as "taut" and noted that, at "a busy 92 minutes," it "works itself into a symphony of niggling submelodies," highlighting its sense of pace and atmosphere.[10]
Kat Hughes of The Hollywood News described it as "a brilliant debut... filled with well executed frights that are terrifying enough to haunt your dreams," commending John Farrelly's confident direction and the film's powerful atmosphere.[11]
Aoife Fealy of Film Ireland described it as "a tense and creepy tale," writing that "Farrelly has crafted a strong film that explores personal trauma and the origin of fear... with successful suspense, creepy tension, and effective jump scares." [12]
Kim Newman called the film "striking" and praised its "excellent, nuanced lead performances" in his FrightFest review, noting how it "blends psychological horror with an evocative sense of place." [13]
Starburst Magazine described the film as "a particularly harrowing take on the haunted house story" that is "gorgeously shot and tightly performed," calling it one of the standout discoveries of FrightFest 2024.[14]
B Sides & Badlands praised it as "bold visual storytelling" and "a hauntingly original Irish horror that lingers long after it ends." [15] Film In Dublin commended its "feverish fearlessness" and described it as "an impressively unsettling piece of work, made with complete creative conviction." [16]
Irish Film Critic called it "a genuinely atmospheric and frightening Irish tale," praising its "ominous tone and unsettling imagery" and noting its cultural significance as "the first Irish-language horror film to reach such a global stage." [17]
Collectively, critics praised the film's atmosphere, visual style, and performances, with particular emphasis on its cultural importance as a landmark in Irish-language cinema and a powerful debut for writer-director John Farrelly.
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Significance
Multiple outlets described the film as the first fully Irish language feature length horror film, marking a milestone for Irish language cinema and the diversification of Irish screen storytelling.[1][2][18]
Runtime
The Irish Times cites a 92-minute running time, in line with VIFF materials.[19][8]
References
External links
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